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Friday, May 27, 2011

The past few weeks have not been easy for some people. In fact, as you know from news, the storms have wreaked havoc with losses of property and lives. Joplin-ites have shown a wonderful testimony of faith that should be shown on every news channel and spoken from every preacher's mouth. The scenes I have seen of people pulling together to help each other speaks volumes of their faith. Only one who has experienced such a deep loss could feel their pain. Yet I see victory in their efforts and of those who have responded to give them aid.

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How often do we allow the inconveniences of life interfere with our faith? If we allow minor disruptions to cast doubt, what would we do in a situation described above? Or, in spite of despair, do we continue to trust God? Only you can answer.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

As an artist I often see what isn't there, until I have painted it. Much as someone may stare at the clouds and see images, I see what isn't yet on the canvas. Sometimes what I see isn't what actually gets painted! Maybe it is that I try to see too much or that the image I conceive is beyond my ability to paint.

I thought of this as I looked out my window and saw these trees. I saw a shape that my husband didn't see even though I tried to point it out to him. He said we see things differently. Here is a photo of the trees. Do you see an animal head? I saw it and when the wind blew the whole head and neck seemed to react going back and forth. It didn't break the shape!

The image is in the center of the photo. Yes, those are Christmas lights still up in May. :) We call them party lights, they are white and blue and create a soft glow. Try this image: (click on images to enlarge)

My highlighting efforts didn't show up much, but the head is outlined with a circle.

Sometimes what I see in my own work as imperfections, such as too bright, too dark, not the right shape, others see as a nice highlight, the dark balances the light, and just as in nature there is no perfect shape.

This abstract of flowers isn't exactly what I had envisioned. Sorry for the glare, I took the photo at night and needed the flash.

In life, events aren't exactly as we plan either. God has our life planned and we don't always see the overall picture. He doesn't let us know what is ahead.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Khalil Gibran wrote he who has not looked on sorrow will never see joy.

It takes a rainfall to see a rainbow.I have had a lot of rain and a few storms in my life. And because my faith wasn’t as strong, I lost joy along the way. Some of it was due to lack of expectation. If I didn’t get my hopes up too high, I didn’t fall as hard when it rained. In other words, I let the fear of disappointment rob me of expecting joy.

To put in terms of art, I became rather monotone. No brights and no darks. Rather a muddy and dull composition if I had put that on canvas. Yet, I didn’t recognize that in my life. My happy days could have been much brighter.

Fear Not. I wonder how many times that appears in the Bible. God spoke it, Jesus spoke it and certainly the angels spoke it. Now when I awaken my thoughts are ‘it is going to be a great day!’ Certainly any day in the Lord is a great day. Fear Not: Whatever befalls I know God is going to see me through it. He saw me through the rain and storms even when I didn’t trust He was there. Although I was saved as a child, I didn’t learn to study the Bible. I didn’t know that God was truly a Father who cared about His children. I thought it was only about going to heaven when you died. Slowly I have studied more, read various authors, and learned much. I am going to continue to do so.

I hope everyone experienced a Happy Mothers' Day. I took time off to renew my spirit.

I am so happy to see my followers and I hope you do get as much reading my thoughts, as I do posting them. Thank you! Have a blessed day!

About Me

I am a Christian who wants to share the glory of God through my thoughts and art. My aim is to post weekly. I want to view your thoughts also.
I accepted Christ as my Savior as a child. Only recently have I begun to study His word. My faith in understanding is deepening.
I have always had a strong interest in drawing and painting. Now I am hoping to use it as a means to glorify God, through the artwork as tithing on sales, or donations of art for charities.